Becoming the Coach I Was Meant to Be
Written by: Jessica Miller
As an Instructional Coach, my goal was clear: to partner with all teachers to enhance instruction and meet the needs of every student. But I quickly realized that knowing the goal wasn’t the same as knowing how to get there. I needed a clear, sustainable structure for my work, and I found that in Student-Centered Coaching. Developed by Diane Sweeney, Student-Centered Coaching positions coaches as partners with classroom teachers and places student learning at the heart of coaching work.
This approach to coaching aligned with who I wanted to be as a coach. It provided a structure for unit-long coaching cycles grounded in partnerships with teachers through co-planning and co-teaching, focused my work on evidence of student learning through pre-, post-, and formative assessments, and allowed me to measure my impact on teacher and student learning with the Results-Based Coaching Tool.
I found my home in Student-Centered Coaching – a model that let me be myself as an Instructional Coach. I am excited to share a few reasons why I would choose Student-Centered Coaching again and again. And, to learn more about Student-Centered Coaching across Indiana, head to our Student-Centered Coaching: The Workshop Preview Series on YouTube to hear from coaches and leaders about their experience with Student-Centered Coaching and the impact this coaching approach is having on students and teachers in Indiana.
Reason #1: Student-Centered Coaching is Grounded in Effective Teaching Partnerships
In each coaching cycle, we collaborate closely with teachers to identify their goals and co-create strategies that are tailored to their unique classroom contexts. As I learned, this is easier said than done! In my pre-Student-Centered Coaching days, I often tried to plan with teachers, but the planning sessions became “my” planning session with the teachers simply agreeing to do what I suggested. This was not the partnership I was looking for. Attending training focused on Student-Centered Coaching taught me how to remain curious about the thinking of my teaching partners. I developed strategies to give space for teachers to lead the conversation and to avoid giving my input or ideas quickly. This framework for coaching gave me the tools and language I needed to truly lean into a partnership approach in coaching work. And this partnership ensures that both teachers and students experience a supportive and dynamic learning journey.
“This partnership ensures that both teachers and students experience a supportive and dynamic learning journey.”
Reason #2: Student-Centered Coaching takes an Asset-Based Approach to Working with Teachers and Students
Everything about Student-Centered Coaching begins with an asset-based approach to adult learners and young learners alike. Student-Centered Coaching Cycles are designed to lift up teacher practice and teacher learning, rather than to focus on what teachers or students are not doing. By emphasizing strengths, we foster an environment of growth and encouragement. This positive framework not only enhances the teaching practice but also empowers students by acknowledging their capabilities and achievements.
“By emphasizing strengths, we foster an environment of growth and encouragement.”
Reason #3: Student-Centered Coaching is Focused on Impacting Student Learning School-Wide
I joined the field of education because I wanted to have an impact on the students in my class. Little did I know that I would transition into a role that gave me an opportunity to have an impact on student learning across an entire school. As a student-centered coach, I partnered with classroom teachers, special education teachers, special areas teachers, instructional assistants, and my school leaders in coaching cycles. Each coaching cycle was a journey of discovery, where we celebrated successes, analyzed data, and adapted our approaches to meet the diverse needs of our students. Coaching cycles became the focus of conversations with my school leaders as we discussed school-wide trends, successes, and challenges. We developed a cohesive, school-wide approach to support student and teacher learning. This collective commitment to excellence created an environment where both educators and students thrived. The sense of community and shared purpose made every step of this journey rewarding and impactful.
Reason #4: Student-Centered Coaching Positions Coaches as Learners
Being “the expert” is something I knew I could not be, and did not want to be, as a coach. Teaching is complex and challenging. While I brought some strengths – like using evidence for instructional planning, developing high-level questions to get students talking, and a strong foundation of math content knowledge – I also had much to learn. I was coaching into grade levels I had not taught and classrooms which were not my own. However, through the partnership approach in Student-Centered Coaching, I didn’t need to worry about what I didn’t know. Instead, I was able to model ongoing learning as an adult in a school community. I learned to balance when I offered input and when I elevated my teaching partner’s thinking in decision-making during planning conversations. Leaning into my role as a partner and not as “the expert” helped to shape my coaching work and ensure I was building capacity and efficacy in those I partnered with.
Why Do I Keep Coming Back to Student-Centered Coaching?
Instructional coaches play a key role in enhancing teaching and learning. This work thrives on strong systems, clear structures, and the right skills to effectively collaborate with teachers as we focus on student learning. Looking back, I’m grateful I found a path that aligned with both my values and the needs of my school. Student-Centered Coaching helped me move from uncertainty to clarity and provided me with the tools and skills needed to partner with teachers to improve student learning. I will come back to Student-Centered Coaching again and again because it centers on what matters most—students, learning, and true partnership.
Don’t Forget: To learn more about Student-Centered Coaching, check out our Student-Centered Coaching: The Workshop Preview Series on YouTube to hear from coaches, leaders, and Student-Centered Coaching Consultants about the power and work of Student-Centered Coaching.
Resources
Please login or register to claim PGPs.
Alternatively, you may use the PGP Request Form if you prefer to not register an account.
